Comments on: Intel pushes WiMax around the globe

A new $1.12 billion contract in Taiwan and new networks in 23 other countries bolster the chipmaker's wireless vision.

[TimonUK]

The end of mobile phones as we know them?

I've heard of this WiMax being banded about but surely, this would mean the end of mobile phones as we know them now wouldn't it?

WiMax + VoIP = no need for mobile phone = SkypeMobile

[El Kabong]

Could be the end of more than that...

and thank goodness for that. May be the end of radio, TV, communications in general. You combined WiMax with VoIP, now combine it with developments in micro-fuel cell technology and you'll see that the cords are at last about to be cut. I certainly hope so!

Check out the latest from one of the companies working towards that goal at http://www.remotepipes.net/press/10-27-05.asp

[Blito]

What about shortwave?

I know shortwave radio goes all around the globe.
I wonder if that could be better then Wi-Max
which is limited to a standard radio signal.

[tr7oy]

A global signal prevents bandwidth reuse.

It depends on the application: A "Wi-Max over shortwave" technology might have certain niche applications, but in general, you need the limited range so that the frequency can be re-used in a different area for (to put it simplistically) more overall bandwidth. In fact, I'll bet that if Wi-Max is deployed and used extensively in large urban areas, there will arise the need to manage and limit the range of certain access points in order to serve the greatest number of nodes at higher speeds.